Hagee retracts Katrina comment

Clearly the Democratic party is showing its divisions during the primary. We aren't seeing quite so much open brawling in the other party. But it is there, and it even more righteous and strident with its Armageddon fundamentalists.

As made clear by Cliff Schecter in "The Real McCain," that sector of the Republican party has pretty much got McCain under control. Only problem is, that sector never has control enough to satisfy the righteousness.

So it's nearly as fractious a drama as what's going on with the donkeys.

"Nonsense" ... but I still embrace this guy's endorsement, says McCain.

What a joke. What hypocrisy.

And where is the media's outrage over this televangelist's multi-psychotic ramblings a la Jeremiah Wright? Catholics are whores. Support Israel to expedite the rapture. And Hurricane Katrina was god's response to the gay pride parade in New Orleans.

Amazing how these remarks are deemed acceptable by the press. But you say, "God Damned America," with regard to a suspect U.S. foreign policy ... and ...

the Bible still states that "the wages of sin is death(first natural than pysical)but there is still hope Jesus the Christ came to die for the sin of mankind.the problem is mans rejection of HIM-read the Book of Levitucus chptr-20-God doesnt change HIS WORD to siut our life styles its the other way around and when we see Gods Word as protection and promise then maybe mankind will see the Goodness in HIS WORD man is rebellious from birth the change has to come from within not from without---

Let me slap your face first, encourage others to agree and to hate you, then let me apologize for it. Or worse say that my statements were taken out of context.

God may or may not have had his hand in hurricance Katrina, but 'man' had his hand in a) ignoring the warning signs about the levees WEEKS prior, b) ignoring the plight of the residents whose homes and lives were washed away, and c) sending the bulk of our money into a deep abyss called IRAQ.

McCain must be stopped. Christian fanatics must be called upon to act Christianly and less like their fanatical (terrorist) Islamic counterparts.

The man did not apologize for the statement. In effect, he apologized for knowing the mind of God. This is evident in the in the phrase, "No matter what the cause..".
He further emphasizes the possibility with "There but for the grace of God..." which only suggests that those who were not sinners exist in God's grace and get no storm unlike New Orleans. Clever use of words but the man's heart is still in the wrong place.

Even though I am not an active Catholic, I take ombrage to Hagee's remarks about the church. Sadly, he and other extremely fundamental so-called evangelicals view the church as the Apocalyptic "Whore of Babylon." The fact that HIS church is a branch off from the ORIGINAL church may not have dawned on him. The fact that the entire Book of Revelations is not exactly the word of Jesus, and is clouded in ancient and inscrutable allegory is not clear to him. He is part of the extremists who are anticipating the "Rapture" where at any moment they will be taken up bodity to heaven. For the rest of us, we hope that will be soon for him!

McCain needs to say to the American voters forcefully quote: just as Senator Obama forcefully disagrees with the Rev. Wright's comments I deeply regret soliciting the support of Rev. Hagee and I apologize to the American people. Absent of that kind of statement McCain's response as "it's nonsense" doesn't cut it.

Oh, PUHLEEEEEEZ! This man takes every opportunity he acan take to spout hatred, and this si the best apology he can come up with? For that matter, why apologize for something he obviously believes.WHen he nade those comments, he did not do so off the cuff- his comments were very well thought out.

I really can't stand when these so-called "Christians" try to use the words of the one they like to call the Prince Of Peace to justify death and destruction.It falls under the heading of " Who Would Jesus Kill".

And before anyone even begins to think I'm anti-Christian, I am not, but I AM against those "evangelicals" who twist and pervert the words in the bible to mean it's ok to be hateful and hurtful to thier fellow man, as John Hagee did.And if John McCain wants to associate himself with such a hypocrit, what does that say about McCain? Not a man I want to see running our country.

It takes a big man to retract statements like this, and he earns my respect for it. Likewise, even though I will probably not be voting for McCain, I'm happy to hear that he considered his supporter's comment as nonsense.

I guess now McCain knows what guilty by association means too. I can't wait for him to have to rehash the Keating Five scandal...

Maybe Rev. Hagee should remember that God promised not to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah if ten righteous men could be found there. He must be saying that New Orleans couldn't even clear that low hurdle.

Reverend Hagee's retraction, while welcomed, comes a bit too late and, couched as it is in evangelical lingo, has the ring of insincerity. Though I, too, cannot read the mind of the Reverend Hagee, what I have seen and heard from his televised broadcasts shows me that his brand of theology thrives on making condemnatory judgmental pronouncements about people whose political opinions differ from his and about religious organizations with a creed structure at variance with his. To his faithful followers, he delivers what can only be called a Bible-condemning message for anyone outside of the belief system and behavioral modality he personally prescribes. He extols the actions of warmongers and exploiters of fear and castigates with Biblical fervor those he sees as the enemies of his truth.

John McCain, "Mr. Straight Talk," will do anything; say anything, to get elected...even if it's exactly the opposite of what he said previously. He initially said that the 9th Ward should either be rebuilt, or torn down. The very next day, when questioned about his torn down comment, he said he did not recall saying such a thing. Of course his campaign people just brush these kinds of comments off as a "senior moment." The other explanation is it was an outright lie. NO MATTER WHICH EXPLANATION IS TRUE, DOESN'T RESPONSES LIKE THESE DIS-QUALIFY HIM FROM HOLDING THE OFFICE OF PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES???

Because Barack was Wise enough and is wise enough to point out how unfair and uneven the questions were directed at him at the last debate, they label him a "whiner" instead of someone who, and rightly so, is defending himself from a "hit job". But, if he does this, this might expose the ones who are directing the barbs and hits and their Purpose, so they distort the truth (he's whining) with a multitude of voices, all saying the same thing to give it power (brainwashing)!

Most of the corporate media: cable news, ABC, NBC :are owned and Republican controled. They tell us what they want us to Hear, not what we need to Know to truly inform us as a society, which would "expose{ their deeds, give us power and aid in their demise!

The Clintons and the Republican Spin Machine all aligned against Barack! Both are fabricators, distorters, engage in fear and smear... there is no truth from either of the Giants only domination for their own selfish gain and not for the good of "all" the people... they have even colloborated together for greater strength, then one will overthrow the other if they get what they want! They, the Republicans, know the Clintons have ailenated African-Americans so they are now actively courting their support while trying to elevate Hillary and deflate Barack. They MSM are not asking Hillary any of the pertinent questions, not on Iran, not on Mark Penn, although he is still on conference calls to this day, not on a pending lawsuit in California or anything elese that might damage her candidacy in the eyes of the people. They don't ask why, if Rev. Wright would have not been her pastor, why during Bill's Impeachment trial, they turned to Rev. Wright for prayer and strength? The Republicans have an "arsenal" of ammunition they Plan and have Planned for years to use against the Clintons if Hillary somehow becomes the Democratic nominee!

They belittle Barack's achievement in Pennsylvania -- to close the enormous gap between him and Clintons was a monumental success and not given any credit by the Republican talking-points media. Instead they ask, "do we really know who Barack is?" -- They slyly ask, "why can't he close the deal?" This after showing him bowling over and over again and stating how he cannot relate to blue-collar workers with such a low bowling score or showing skits from Saturday Night Light which casts him a poor light, along with continuing whipping of Rev. Wrght and now his self-inflicted wound, bitter. They do not report the news anymore, they do not inform us of the true conditions in Iraq or other pertinent news but rather pass on Gossip, fit for the Enquirer Magazine or Entertainment Tonight, so far we have fallen!

This jerk is no better than Phred Phelpz and his band of Phalse Kristianz at the Westboro Baptist "Church" over in Kansas. Living near the MoKan border I have to listen to that garbage heap spew his brand of hatred all too often. Hagee is no more a "Believing Christian" than Phelpz is. Both have forgotten Christ's warning, "Judge not, lest ye shall be judged," and as such neither qualify as Christian by any true definition of the word. Like many self-professed Christians they have forgotten the true guidance of Christianity: Love the sinner, hate the sin.

I respect Senator McCain for his service to this country as a fellow Brother in Arms, however his alliance with the likes of Hagee has forever and permanently cost him any chance of my vote.

Hagee now said:
"There but for the grace of God go any one of us."
So, the people of New Orleans are not in God's grace, according to Hagee.
What stupidity

It's great these many hate preachers - including Obam's - are being exposed by the press for what jerks they are.

It seems to be OK to comdem any minority that is either unwilling or unable to defend themselves. It is interesting how people back off or turn around when the victems fight back when fair minded people take them to task. Elementry School behavior that some people never out grew. Ignorence and hate do not change just because some people hide behind religon.

McCain has known about these comments since he asked Hagee to come on board. He obviously was embarrassed by Move On's presence, and only responded when pressured. If he completely separates himself from Hagee as Obama has been so constantly asked to do with Reverend Wright, I might believe him.

I find it interesting that the media isn't harping and mongering the spiritual relationship of presidential candidate John McCain to the extent they did with presidential candidate Barack Obama and Rev. Jeremiah Wright. The media commentatories aren't saying that McCain should denounce, disown and sever all relationship with Hagee.

I try not to see race in everything. You'll see what you are looking for..but, again, I find this interesting that the Black men (Barack Obama and Jeremiah Wright) were obviously handled differently in the media from the White men (John McCain and John Hagee). I haven't heard one media person question Hagee's patriotism and deem him a "fanatic."

Perhaps it just a figment of my fragmented minority mind, but does this situation suggest that when a Black Man makes what he believes to be God ordained statements towards those within this society he becomes demonized and "otherized" and when a White Man makes what he believes to be God ordained statements towards those within this society he becomes what? Understood, forgiven, or is the silence of the media just merely agreement?

I'm really grateful for the spotlight that MoveOn brought to MCain's political visit to New Orleans. Shame on John McCain

If my understanding is correct, McCain is a member of the Episcopal Church. One of the slogans of the Episcopal Church is , "Via media," which means, "The middle way." McCain should be reminded of that every time he takes an extreme position.

It totally amazing how these hate monger retract their stupid comments when they get caught. I worked in a FM radio station when I was in college and the one thing the manager emphatically told us was "Before you open your mouth put your mind in gear." It is so common that these politicians and so called religious leaders have never done this.

Of all plagues with which mankine are curst, Ecclesiastic tyranny's the worst.

How in the world can Rev. Hagee sat that Katrina was because of the actions of the people? Can he say the same thing about 9/11? What the hell kind of priest or minister would slur anything including America like Barack's minister did? These are suppose to be God fearing men and love the country they live in and the people they look over, but I don't see or hear that from either one of them. Rev. Hagee supporting McCain is a good thing because he is a hippocrit just like the Rev. is.

Obama had his Parson Jeremiah.
McCain now has his Reverend Hagee.
Extreme Orthodox Jews stone vehicles seen driving on the sabbath.
And there are the Muslim clerics that have women beaten if they dare show their ear lobes in public.
The Pope did ease up and, contrary to expectations, did not scold American Catholic Universities for being too independent in their thinking.
The kind and gentle Cortez convinced the Aztecs to give up their beating heart ritual and embrace Jesus. Today we have many eager to greet their 72 virgins.

How much more do we need to see how religion has entered and damaged democracy and demands more and more control of people's lives? Not to mention it has been the cause of a few dozen wars in the past and still on going.

Not exactly what I would envision as a loving God that, in dozens of manifestations, millions worship. Most of which are claimed to be the only True One or you will roast in Hell.

How much more do we need to see how religion has entered and damaged democracy and demands more and more control of destroyed people's lives? Not to mention it has been the cause of a few dozen wars in the past and still on going.
past. Not exactly what I would envision as a loving God that, in dozens of manifestations, millions worship. Most of which are claimed to be the only True One or you will roast in Hell.

This is NOT a carelessly made comment. Rev. Hagee stood by his "Katrina was a punishment against gays" story for weeks. This article reports only one instance of Hagee's statement. I personally heard Rev Hagee stand by his statement on NPR's Fresh Air at least 3 weeks before this article was written. On this interview program, he methodically laid out his case. In effect, he said (1) everything that happens on this planet is directly caused by God. (2) New Orleans was planning a Gay Pride parade (3) God sent Katrina to punish them. I could not believe that this man would say hate-mongering speech so clearly, even after he was already starting to get heat for it.

As this story was unfolding, Senator McCain repeated his pride in Hagee's endorsement, even calling Hagee his spiritual advisor. It is shameful that McCain only distances himself once the story finally gains traction in the mainstream media.

So now Hagee is saying New Orleans citizens, especially the poor black ones, lack God's grace?

Senator McCain,
I have long admired you because of your deserved hero status. When you first ran for president in 2000 it seemed like a not bad idea. I really didn't know anything about you except your exemplary behavior as a prisoner in Viet Nam. I was charmed by the Straight Talk Express of 2000, was enraged with the way Bush supporters gleefully did to you in that campaign what later became known as Swift-Boating.

When you appeared in the "The Embrace" of Bush during the 2004 campaign, embraced Falwell's blessing by appearing at Liberty University and began exchanging your former ethics for whatever served you best you in 2008 I realized that I needed to rethink my opinion of you. You will always retain your deserved hero status. You have, unfortunately, completely cast aside any pretense of being anything but an old pol, ready to sell your soul to be president. You and Hillary are mirror-images of each other. Unfortunately, as out of touch as she may be, you have apparently gotten stuck in the 60s before many of today's voters were born. I am 78 and thought I had seen it all. But you made me realize that I had learned little about human-nature, that we are all flawed, some more severely than others and it just won't do to consider you for president. We have had your alter-ego, George Bush, busy wrecking this country for almost 8 years. We must not even think of giving you another 4 to finish the job.

"But ultimately neither I nor any other person can know the mind of God concerning Hurricane Katrina..." or any other happening, for that matter.
Any delusional hatemonger who thinks he does, is just that. AMEN!

As a minister, this should have been bloody obvious from the beginning, not almost 3 years later.

You weren't speaking for yourself, you were speaking for God. And God's will never changes. So either you were full of it then, or you are now. Which is it?

You give no quarter, and you get none. Open your Bible and read Deuteronomy 18: 20-22 and see what God says about people like you. Then read Matthew 7: 1-5 and 21-23 and see what Jesus thinks.

Christians are supposed to be of one mind, but how far from the spirit of Christ does one have to be before we decide he's on the other side?

Preachers say the most nonsence things of any human beaing.

That's it? Obama's beliefs and character were called into question because of statements made by his pastor and this is it? And folk wonder why blacks in this country feel the way we do

What happened, Hagee? Did you suddenly remember that you are accountable before God Almighty for the words that you speak? Naw, you probably got a call from your higher god - the RNC. They probably reminded you that they're trying to get McCain ELECTED in November; not REJECTED because of the people with whom he associates.

To give him a do0se of his own medicine, please allow me this untoward comparison: Hagee is like Taliban. He's fundamentalist, and quotes scripture to justify hisextremist rhetoric. Unlike Jeremiah Wright, McCain SOUGHT OUT Hagee's dubious endorsement for grotesquely political reasons and TRUMPETTED the ednorsement when he got it.

But Mccain is better than that. It's just that his tming is bad: even conservative Americans realize we are at the end of the American conservative reform movement. McCain would have been a much better president than Bush. But he missed his window.

It's amazing that the war hero waited years before confirming the cowardice of his friend, the Texas "Decider", who always seems to fly away from crisises, as he did on 9/11/01 while peeping out the windows of Air Force 1, then using photos of the incident to affirm his bravery, and "control of the country." McCain, if anything, comes off MORE insipid than his predecessors, who humiliated him in every way that Rove could dredge up, from his "black child" ( in South Carolina) to publicly using him in their Torture Lies, then immediately repudiating him to his face. After the treatment he has received in his party, it is no wonder that he sits down with religious fanatics, and thinks they influence the voting majority. His ability to judge friends shows a complete lack of intelligence.

Why isn't the media spreading Hagee's ridiculous statement all over the news like Reverend Wright's? The difference is though, that Reverend Wright's statements about America's chickens coming home to roost made sense, (even though he was quoting a white ambassador, who was quoting Malcom X), while Reverend Hagee's statement was just plain sick to say that God would wipe out innocent people for the "sins" of their neighbors.

One can only hope that the news media frenzie will take this outrageous display from Rev Hagee (and the like) to at least the same level of exposure on the story concerning Rev Wright. He should be given the same "under the microscope" examination and press overrun at the very least. Funny how some can "get away with it" but others must be expected to bridle their tongue. Is there one indivdual more "American" than the other? This sense of entitlement has got to stop if we are ever going to effect the change this country so badly needs!

Nonsense indeed but also bigotry and hubris of the worst sort. McCain should repudiate this hate-monger not accept his endorsement. No one in the 21st century should be able to make such statements about our fellow Americans who are Catholic or who suffer from natural disasters without quick and unequivocal denunciation.

Let's not equate Rev. Wright's truth about America with whacko Hagee's crazed version of what God is thinking. If you watched Rev. Wright's conversation with Bill Moyers on the Bill Moyers show, you would hear the truth about what he said and the truth about our government's war crazy behaviour throughout the world. Mary Lassila Omak, Wa.

THE STATUE OF LIBERTY

A white man looks at this icon through the eyes of his black brothers and sisters

This icon was the first thing that the irish and italian immigrants saw coming into New York on
ships.

How long did it take for them to taste and enjoy freedom and liberty promised in the constitution.
One generation, maybe two.

Many many years before, ships came to this continent bringing many unwilling immigrants.
They saw no statue of liberty. They heard no cries of freedom, liberty and justice.
They had no say in where they lived, what they did. They could not vote. They had no say in their
future. No education. No life, liberty and the pursuit of happy.

How many generations will it take for them to enjoy the same benefits and the italian and irish immigrants.
Oh yes, some have made it to the middle class. A few are doctors, lawyers, professors and politicians.
My brothers and sisters the dream is still alive but we have not arrived.

I am having a pastor Wright moment here. God ------ America.

Your servant
a white Baptist minister

I can't believe that yje major media have not reported this as they have Rev. Wright.
There must be some balance to reporting. But I guess it is not going to happen. Truely a sad day for all Americans.

We have not had a balanced, fair and free press in this country for 20-30 years. The stifling of the voice of a free press started with Ronald Reagan and deregulation that allowed our media voices to be merged and managed by corporate giants like Rupert Murdoch and Viacom. These media giants don't hold any loyalty to the people of America and their right ,even their need to know. They are only interested in the bottom line like every other corporate entity. They have the RNC in their pocket and it is to their advantage to "dumb down" the electorate.
They are not about to give Obama balanced and fair coverage.

Hagee's views may be close to mainstream or are tolerated in certain parts of our country. I think that's part of the reason for the media not jumping up and down on McCain for seeking this guy's endorsement TWICE. McCain feels that there is enough commonality of interest and ideology between his candidacy and Hagee's flock to seek this man's endorsement.

George W. Bush’s sentence-by-sentence speaking skills are deteriorating. Apparently, this may be due to a mental illness called “presenile dementia.” Bush may or may not be secretly still drinking heavily. Bush lied, and thousands of people died. Bush suffers from narcissism and megalomania. Moreover, Bush has been arrested three times. Bush was arrested for disorderly conduct. Bush was arrested for stealing. Bush was also arrested for a serious crime—driving under the influence of alcohol. Bush is guilty of criminal negligence relative to the response to Hurricane Katrina. There are reasons to believe that Bush suffers from a learning disability. Bush’s learning disability would explain a lot of things. All in all, Bush is a severely mentally ill individual. Bush is not fit to be the president of the United States.

Bush should be locked up.

Submitted by Andrew Yu-Jen Wang
B.S., Summa Cum Laude, 1996
Messiah College, Grantham, PA